Switch point rail



Emma 14, $32. 7 G. H. LAMBORN 198539489 SWITCH POINT RAIL Filed July 15, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 13 2'7 gwwzwto r emye HLm 25am ame 14, 1932. LAMBQRN i3f39 SWITCH POINT RAIL Filed Jui 15, 19:51 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @88278 HLamZorn latter being shown in Patented June 14, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE E. LAMBORN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 LOUISVILLE FROG, SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF KENTUCKY SWITCH POINT RAIL Application filed July 13, 1931. Serial No. 550,526.

This invention relates to switch point rails, more particularly to a reclaimed switch point rail structure as well as the elements of the latter, and has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a reclaimed switch point rail having its point of greater durability than that of the point of the rail when the latter was in its original state.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a reclaimed switch point rail structure including an insert constituting the point section thereof and with such insert formed from a portion of an old worn track rail.

A further object of the invention resides in the reclaiming of worn, damaged or impaired switch point rails to provide, in a. manner as hereinafter set forth, a reclaimed switch rail structure and which is so carried out that the operation of reclaiming to provide the structure is had at a materially less cost than the manner in which reclaiming of damaged or impaired switch point rails is now performed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the coacting sections of a reclaimed switch point rail structure, in accordance with this invention prior to the welding of said sections together to provide an integral unit.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the insert, filler or point section in a position relative to the switch point rail section, the

dotted lines.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view'of the switch point rail section as conditioned to receive the insert, filler or point section.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of the reclaimed switch point rail structure before welding of the sections thereof.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of a reclaimed switch rail structure, in accordance with this invention.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of a reclaimed switch point rail structure, in accordance with this invention and the track rail with which it is associated.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view in top plan rail structure in accordance with this invention.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the insert, 6

filler or switch rail.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary View in perspective of the impaired or damaged switch point rail conditioned to receive the insert, filler or point switch.

A reclaimed switch point rail structure, in accordance with this invention includes a recessed rail section 1 formed from an impaired point section of the reclaimed 'or damaged switch point rail and an insert,

filler or point section 2 formed from a portion of an old worn track rail and which is hereinafter referred to as an insert. The rail section 1 is conditioned to receivethe insert 2 V and the latter completes the damaged rail to provide the reclaimed switch point rail structure. The section 1 and insert 2 are welded together to provide an integral and durable unit. The reclaimed also includes a reinforcing strap 20 and welding material 26, 27 and 27 1 The rail section 1 includes a head or ball 3, a web 4, a reduced web portion 5, a base rail structure 7 flange 6 and a base flange 7. The portion 5 extends outwardly from the head 3 and web 4. The flanges 6 and 7 are coextensive'with the web 4 and reduced web portion 5. The flange 6 is of uniform width. The flange 7 decreases in width towards the outer end of the reduced web portion 5, and the latter has its top edge beveled or angled, as at 8 from end to end. The inner end part of the top edge of portion 5 is curved upwardly as at 10.

The outer end edge of head 3 isformed with oppositely inclined or angled, vertical portions or parts, as at 11, 12. The width of portion 11 is greater than that .of portion 12. The beveled top edge of web portion'5 merges into and is of less width than angled portion .isybeveled as: at 17. The rear end edge.-por' tion of the stem 14 is curved upwardly, as at 19 and is beveled in the same manner as the bottom edge portion of stem 14. Thebeveled portion 19 of stem 14 merges into and is of less width than angled portion-15. Secured to, and depending from stem 14 isthe reinforcing strap 20 which 'is to be secured to web portion 5.

The strap 20 is never removedand'the rail, insert and strap are clamped together before welding is started and the strap serves. as a backing strip for the arc weld to be referred to. The strap 20 forms a very good service in the process of reclamation by .welding. Thestrap is substantially partially welded to both the insert and the rail. No attempt is made to make this a perfect or permanent weld, but if the weld is properly done the strap will .be pretty thoroughly welded to the finished point along the center of the web. No further welding is done on the strap.

The reinforcing strap extends-along the greater portion of the point andin some cases the whole length of the point. The strap is fastened to the switch point by rivets or machine bolts or a number of each. One operation in the process of reclaiming a switch oint is the drilling of the bolt and rivet holes that have been filled up vin the welding process. Some of these holes arefor the attachment of bridge lugs and the rest are for the passage. of holdfast devices to secure the reinforcing strap in position. 7 V The strap 20 serves as a backing strip for the electric weld at the center of the web betweenthe insert and the web portion 5. g The reinforcingstrap is always present on the side ofthe point-which lies away from the stock rail. 1 3 The point formed'by the inclined portions 11, 12is indicated at 22 andthe pointformed between the inclined portions 15, 16.,isindicated at 23. WVhen the insert is positioned relatively tosection 1 the inclined portions 11, 12 are arranged opposite and incline away fromthe inclined portions 15, 16respectively and the point 22 opposes in spaced relation the-point 23. l/Vhen the insert is-positione'd relatively to the rail section 1 a \l -shape d groove-24 extending lengthwise and upwardly of the web is provided and a-pair of oppositely disposed vertical \l:-grooves.25..are formed between the head of the insert and head of therail. The bottoms or bases of the grooves 24,25 are OPE-IhWhBIlztllQ insert is positioned within the recess provided by the cutout portion of section 1.

The bottom of the V-groove is left open about g i average, and the top of the V- groove 24 not over The reason for this is to eliminate as much of pull due to welding vas possible. Itwill be supposedthat the rail to be completed is positioned in a manner whereby the web thereof will be vertically disposed. ow-if-iithe insert is clamped in so itsrweb'will-be vertically disposed and in perfect alignment with the web of the rails, thena-f-ter the weld is made the insert would be pulled towards the welded side of the 'railto an extent todispose the insert at an inclination with respect to the web of'tthe rail, makingz itnecessaryto cutout the weld and do the work-over. The insert must be positioned slightly .at .7 an. obtuse angle with respect to web portion 5.initially, so that the weld will pull it into :proper aligning POSI- tion.v The position of:the insert prior to welding issasshown in Figure4.

The firststep .isto removeifromthe rail orsection .1, theworn portionof the point with an acetylene cutting.torchtoform: the rail-with a recess. This will cause the part of the-railbelowthe cut to warp upward due to the heat-of cutting. .Nfextheat therail where l the cut ends and .bend the part. mentioned .down slightly below proper alignment as the weldinglater will pull it back up'as hereinbefore explained. The surfaces which have been out are machined or; ground .to remove scale andoxid'es -and also-to removethe thin layer of metal .whichhas been heated to a high .temperature and will .be foundeto. be fullof a network .offine cracks. These cracks are caused by-thesudden. expansion of the-metal-nextto the flame-when cutting is done. It is heatedwto a melting temperature very quickly and then cools quite quickly. -.-The result. is the cracks. mentioned are effaced andthe surface is .veryhard and brittle. The rail is now ready to receive the insert.

The-insert-is made-by cutting arpiece ofthe correctsize and shape from-a .piece of: scrap track rail of the correct section. Theinsert is thensubjected to aa heatqtreatmentwhich consists in heating itytoi-about 1400 ;deg; IE, holding it at that-temperature ifor about .15 minutes and :allowing .it. to I cool :slowly. After cooling the portions'ofitherinsertwhich come within the .weld (the surfaces :upon which metal is :to be: deposited) are ground or.machined for thesamesreasons as referred to in connection with rail or section. 1. Ihe insertiis now ready for use.

The insertsisnovwpositionedzati an anglezin a? manner as-referred' togwith respect' to web portion 5 and clamped in su'ch position. Electric; arc welding :is thenthe Efirst operation.-

number. of small welds known. as tacks are made: along? the Vejgroove sin Tithe web, after which the clamps are removed and the electric weld is started at the free end of the rail. known as the point and progresses toward the butt. The area bordering the groove is heat treated during the welding. The next operation is an acetylene weld at the V-grooves formed between the head of the insert and head of the rail. The whole area surrounding this weld is first heated and then the acetylene welding is started on the same side of the rail as was the electric arc weld. The heated portion is kept hot as the weldprogresses. This is necessary to prevent cracking of the weld and distortion of the rail. This weld must not be stopped or delayed after once begun. vVhen the first side or filling of one vertical V-groove is completed the rail is turned over and the other side at the head welded at the other vertical V-groo-ve keeping the heat in the rail all the while as described. The rail is now read 1 for machining and such redrilling etc. as will be found necessary to make it conform to specifications. Y

No heat treatment, other than that as stated of the rail is done at any time. The insert is heat treated before application to the rail.

hat I claim is 1. In a method of manufacturing a reclaimed switch point rail structure, cutting away of the upper part of the damaged portion of an impaired switch point rail to form a recess, providing one end portion of the wall of the recess with oppositely extending angled parts and the remaining portion of such wall beveled throughout, cutting from a track rail an insert for positioning in and corresponding to the shape of such recess, providing that end edge portion of the edge of the insert which is to oppose the said end portion of said wall with oppositely extending angled parts and oppositely bevelling with respect to said remaining wall portion that portion of the edge of the insert which is to opposethe said remaining wall portion, positioning the said portions of the edge of the insert in opposed spaced relation and at an angle with respect to the wall of the recess to form an open bottom V-groove extending longitudinally of the structure and a pair of oppositely disposed V-grooves communicating with each other at their bottoms and extending vertically of the structure, clamping the insert and rail together to maintain .the grooves in said structure and the insert at angle, welding at spaced points in the longitudinal groove to connect the insert and rail together, removing the clamp, and then completely filling the grooves, While the area bordering the latter is subjected to a heat treatment with a welding body to provide a unitary structure.

2. In a method of manufacturing a reclaimed switch point rail structure, cutting away of the upper part of the damaged portion of an impaired switch point rail to'provide a recess, providing one end portion of the wall of the recess with oppositely extending angled parts and the remaining portion of such wall beveled throughout, cutting from a track rail an insert for positioning in and corresponding to the shape of said recess, providing that end edge portion of the insert which is to oppose the said end portion of said wall with oppositely extending angled parts and oppositely'bevelling with respect to said remaining wall portion that portion of the edge of the insert which is to oppose the said remaining wall portion, clamping the insert'at an angle to and in opposed spaced relation with respect to said wall to provide the structure with a longitudinal and a pair of oppositely extending vertical V-grooves, then electrically welding a filler at spaced portion of and to the walls of said longitudinal groove, removing the clamp, then electrically welding a filler throughout the said groove to fill the latter, then acetylene welding a filler to the walls of one of the vertical grooves, then acetylene welding a filler to the walls of the other vertical groove, and simultaneously with said welding actions subjecting the area bordering the grooves to a heat treatment.

3-. In a method of manufacturing a reclaimed switch point rail structure, cutting away of, the impaired part of a damaged switch rail to provide a recess having a beveled wall, positioning a beveled edge, strap carrying insert corresponding to the shape of said recess at an angle to and in opposed spaced relation to said wall, with the strap depending below said wall and with the edge of the insert coacting with said Wall to provide a V-groove open at its bottom and with the latter opposed by said strap, and then welding a filler throughout to the walls of the groove and to the strap for completely filling the groove and simultaneously with the welding of the filler subjectingthe area bordering the groove to heat treatment.

l. In a method of manufacturing a reclaimed switch point rail structure,rcutting away of the impaired part of a damaged switch pointrail to provide a recess, providing the wall of the recess at one end with oppositely extending. angled portions of different widths and the remaining portion of said wall beveled throughout, forming an insert corresponding in contour to said recess and formed with oppositely extending angled parts of different widths and an edge portion oppositely beveled with respect to the beveled portion of said wall, positioning a strap on one side of and depending from the beveled edge portion of said insert, positioning said insert in saidrecess' in opposed spaced relation and at an angle with respect to saidwall to provide a longitudinal groove open at'its base and a pair of oppositely ex- Ice tending vertical grooves communicating with each other and with the strap opposing the open base ofthe longitudinal groove, and

thenfilling the grooves,'while the area bordering the latter is subjected to heat treatment with a welding body to provide a unitary structure.

5.'Ina method of manufacturing a reclaimed switchpoint rail structure, cutting away of the damaged portion of animpaired different widths positioning an insert having oppositely angled edge parts of different widths, and a beveled edge portion to oppose, spaced from and coacting with the wall of the recess-to provide a longitudinally disposed V-groove open at its base and a pair of oppositely extending vertical grooves opening into each other,and then filling the grooves, while the area bordering the latter is subjected to heat treatment with a welding body to provide a unitary structure. V

6. A reclaimed switch point rail structure, comprising a rail section formed at one end with a recess having the major portion of its wall beveled throughout and the remaining portion of its wall oppositely angled with the angles of different widths and with the width of the angles greater than the width of said edge, an insert for and corresponding in contour to the shape of said recess, said insert having an edge portion opposing and oppositely beveled with respect to the beveled portion of said wall and further having a pair of oppositely angled portions opposing the-oppositely angled parts of said wall, said insert arranged in opposed spaced relation with respect to said wall and providing a longitudinally disposed groove open at its base'anda pair of vertically extending grooves communicating with each other, a strap carried by one side of said insert anddepending below the beveled edge of the latter and the beveled portion of said wall, and a-welding body completely filling andintegral with the walls of said grooves and with said strap to provide a unitary structure.

7 .In armethod of manufacturing a reclaimed switch point rail structure, the providing of a damaged switch point rail with a'recess' having a portion of its'wall beveled and the remaining portion of'its wall oppositelyangled, positioning a strap carrying insert in'said recess to provide in connection with said wall a pair of oppositely'extending vertical -V'-groo ves opening at their bases into each other and i a lengthwise extending azsesgae'e V;-:gro0ve openat its baseand terminating'at one end'at one of the vertical grooves and with the strap on the insert depending below trical welding a filler therein and to said strap, and successively filling the vertical .grooves'by the acetylene welding of a filler therein.

8. In a method of manufacturing a reclaimed switch point rail structure, the providing of a damaged switch. point rail with a recess having a portion of its wall beveled and the remaining portion of its wall oppositely angled, positioning a strap carrying insert in said recess to provide in connection with said wall a pair of oppositely extending vertical V-groovesopening at their bases into each other and a lengthwise extending 'V- groove open at its base and terminating at one end at one of the walls of a vertical groove and with the strap on the insert'depending below and opposing the open base of said lengthwise groove, completely filling the latter by electrical welding a filler therein and to said strap, successively filling the vertical grooves by acetylene welding a filler therein, and simultaneously with the welding steps subjecting the area. bordering said grooves to heat treatment.

9. YA reclaimed switch-point rail structure comprising a. switch point rail formed at one end with a recess, an insert for and corresponding in contour to said recess, said insert having an edge thereof opposing in spaced relation the wall of the recess, said edge having oppositely extending angle portions, said wall having oppositely extending angle portions, the angle portions of the edge coacting with the angle portions of the wall to provide oppositely extending grooves communicating with each other at their bottoms, and a welding body filling said grooves to providea unitary structure, said body gradually decreasing in cross sectional width inwardly from "each outer side face thereof.

- In testimony whereof, I- afiix my signature hereto.

" GEORGE H. LAMBORN. 

